Hi everyone! It’s Nicole from So Haute – a blog about decorating and living with style- and I’m excited to be guest blogging for Ally today! She asked me to talk about a favorite design trend or obsession and I immediately thought of the home of my friend and carpet designer Malene B. Recently I was perusing the blogs and came across photos of Malene’s Brooklyn brownstone which was featured on The Selby a while back. Malene’s home is vibrant and colorful but what really gives her space its personality and soul is her amazing collection of African sculptures, masks, textiles and other objets d’art. It reminded me of how much I love traditional African textiles and accessories. From Kente and Kuba cloths to tribal prints and batiks, the rich and vivid patterns of Africa are truly beautiful and totally inspiring. Above is a perfectly composed vignette from Malene’s home and below are 10 ways you can bring this look into your own space. Enjoy!
I am totally honored to be guest posting for Ally today. I have been reading her since her days out west, and how surreal to be writing here today?
When she moved to Atlanta about a year ago I wrote her to welcome her. That is just what us southerners do. I asked her if she ever needed any recommendations for doctors or dentist and the like to ask me, I have lived here forever. So now Ally and I share the same passion for design, a love of wine and shopping, and the same great internist.
Why I love her blog so much is because she is no different in person than she is here. She even asks, “It’s great, right?” all the time like she does in her posts. I have even caught myself asking my husband, “That chicken is good, right?”…she rubbed off on me a little.
She asked us just to share what we are loving now, and I am really loving what I always have….bohemian clothes and interiors. I appreciate really every style (not like, but appreciate)…but this really is “me”.
Okay, I’ll shut up now…here’s the eye candy:
My favorite clothing line is Free People, and this season doesn’t disappoint (you know they are a sister company of Anthro, didn’t you?)
I can see her in this kitchen (don’t you want to see more of that sink?) via Sanctuary.
and perhaps she would have this light above? (anthro)
Ally, this too froo-froo for your dining room?
And this will be her powder room, of course? (I have such a love for tiles just around the sink area. There is a box of mirrored tiles in our basement just waiting for the right, daring client.) Sanctuary, again
I would see yards and yards of this Victoria Hagan fabric flanking the windows and puddling on the floor…
And this picture is perfect to be on “from the right bank”, right? A Parisian bohemian look, indeed. (free people) Would you wear this with Frye boots? I think I might.
Or maybe these sandals from the same store.
In my own home I prefer layers of lighting and art and fabric. (Ally came over once and I said, “I’m kinda a minimalist, right?” She laughed.)
And when I think of bohemian I always think of artistic, relaxed elegance. I think this kitchen embodies that. (sorry…can’t recall the source)
Okay, I know the monogram is definitely not boheme, but draping (again, Victoria Hagan) and tying fabric like Heather Chadduck did is luxurious and sexy.
And lighting is such a huge element in bohemian style. A mix of lights is good, and how fun and relaxed is this paper light from World Market?
mix in a little bling from Urban Outfitters
(and lastly, I know my posts get too long)
add some fun art to your rooms (maybe lean against the wall). Methanestudios (in Georgia).
Hi there, I’m Christine from Bijou and Boheme and I am so excited to be here today talking about one of my favourite design trends.
When Ally asked me to participate, I was a little worried that I wouldn’t be able to choose from my list of absolute favourites…those being (in no particular order) pink, gold and leopard. For those of you who know me, you might be surprised to find out that I didn’t choose to feature my love affair with pink… I just thought the umbrella was a little too huge to delve into. In the end, I chose leopard because it’s just quite simply the epitome of fabulous…according to this humble blogger anyway.
Perhaps my favourite thing about this trend is how it bypasses any self imposed borders between fashion and decor…it’s all one in the same when it comes to this vintage print.
Leopard has a chameleon quality that I adore.
It seems right at home in both modern…
and traditional settings.
It has a definite vintage appeal.
But also resides comfortably in the present.
In the end, when it comes to leopard, it’s all about the glamour.
Hello, fellow FTRB fans. I’m Chedva from Belly’s Interiors with a Story, and I’m thrilled to fill-in for Ally while she’s away.
Ally asked me to come up with a design trend close to my heart, and while I’m not sure this is big enough to be considered a trend, i’d definitely like it to be; You see, with all the feminine and preppy interiors we’re seeing lately (which I love, by the way) I feel like some contradiction is needed. These anatomical or medical prints fill that void for me.
Appropriate in a medical clinic designed by Israeli interior design duo TaGa.
Clustered elegantly above the entrance of designer and blogger Lauren Liess‘s home
(photo: Helen Norman)
This kind of prints can be found quite frequently on One Kings Lane for a few hundreds of dollars. You can find some on ebay (though the search may turn out scarier than the actual print). Here’s another source I found today- has anyone ordered from them? the price is approachable. For a little less, I found a treasure trove of vintage prints of the same nature in Alenbi street in Tel Aviv (not far from my home) and I’m sure there are many like these around the globe.
Hi everyone! I’m Mackenzie from Design Darling and I’m thrilled to be filling in for Ally today. The design trend that I’m loving most right now is the rise of online magazines. Women who got their big break in blogging have found a way to foray into publishing, producing original content that attracts advertisers and readers alike. Consider this your cheat sheet to the crème de la crème of online publications and feel free to add your two cents by commenting below!
Who: Former Domino market assistant Michelle Adams and photographer Patrick Cline
What: The innovator
When: Launched in October 2009
Where: Lon(don)n(ew)y(ork)
What I love: A well-curated “Market” feature, industry icons like Bunny Williams and Lilly Pulitzer, daily blog with illustrations by Caitlin McGauley, comprehensive gallery, available in print (but for $35 per issue), links to everything.
What I don’t: Lack of reader interaction on Twitter.
What I love: Only magazine that comes out monthly, best use of Facebook, pretty portraits of blogger favorite Anna Rifle and fashion darling Lela Rose.
What I don’t: Text-heavy. More portraits and fewer interiors spreads make for little “blog-able” content.
What I love: Innovative features like “One day with…” and “If I got this invite, I would…”, plenty of blog links, and funny girls Chelsea Handler and Jamie Meares in the impressive premiere issue.
What I don’t: Unattainable brands and high price points give off a “look but don’t touch” vibe.
I think it’s great that each magazine brings something completely different to the table and I look forward to keeping up with all four publications as they continue to improve and innovate. Do you agree with my take on each one’s aesthetic and main attractions? Which online publication is your favorite thus far?
Hi there FTRB peeps! I’m Claire (from High Gloss Blue) and here on the Right Bank today I’m rolling out my FAVORITE NYC SHELTER SHOPS. When Ally asked to me guest post last week, I had just returned from The Big Apple-so many thanks to Ally for indulging my excitement here today. Oh and even if you’re not traveling any time soon, a few of these places have really great online stores. Links will follow…
2. ABC HOME: Sure you’ve known about this one for years, but does it get any better than ABC HOME? No, it does not. One thing that could get better, their online shop.
3. The Conran Shop: A modernist mecca of all things design, the Conran Shop is much an interactive museum as a shop. Sit on PANTON CHAIRS and play with PAINT CAN PIN HOLE CAMERAS (great gift idea, right?). I’ve been looking for those GOLD SCOURING PADS since my boyfriend’s grandma forgot where she bought the ones she gifted him last Christmas. Oh and let me introduce you to my newest obsession, GLOBETROTTER LUGGAGE.
Hello, I’m Sissy from My Blue Hydrangea and I was excited when Ally asked me to stop by FROM THE RIGHT BANK and talk about a favorite decorating trend. There is so much to love right now in design, but I keep going back to wallpaper.
It has to be bold.
And colorful.
And the bigger the better.
And it must have an element of glamour.
I am tired of boring and bland.
If I see one more neutral room, I am going to scream.
I want some drama.
What are we so afraid of? It is just paper. It can’t really hurt us.
Decorating is supposed to be fun. Our homes should make us happy and show our personalities. Do you want to be known as the girl with the beige personality? Not me! So take a deep breathe and jump in. Wallpaper a room, a wall or a panel. I already have something in mind…
Hello From the Right Bank readers! This is Caitlin from Sacramento Street. It’s a pleasure guest blogging here today. Can you believe Ally is off on another amazing travel adventure? I’m incredibly jealous, but I love that she brings back photos and stories about her excursions.
When Ally asked me to blog about my favorite current trend, my mind wandered. And then I thought ‘who doesn’t love a pop of gold in their wardrobe and in their home?’ Well, I’m totally digging it.
With the holidays right around the corner I’m trying to spruce up my apartment. I’ve been looking for inspiration and what keeps popping out at me is gold (which is something new to me). I’m a silver girl, so I feel like I’m cheating, but alas – when it comes to interior design sometimes trying new things is a good thing. A hint of gold adds a little pizzazz and that’s what I need this holiday season.
What is your favorite trend right now? There are so many out there! Thank you Ally for having me here today. Hope you’re having a lovely trip.
Hello FTRB readers. It is such a pleasure to be here guest posting while Ally is away. I am Manvi and my blog is mochatini.
I hope you are all having a great fall so far.
Invitations for holiday dinner parties have already started to fill up my social calendar. Several accompanied by requests for advice on flowers, tabletop design, and tips to hosting a one-of-kind party. And so I thought why not share some of the tips and trends with you.
First things first. Take care of the food and beverage part of your party first. Only after you have an idea of what you are serving your guests will you be able to select appropriate tabletop pieces.
Be it a dinner party for six or twenty, or a cocktail party for fifty, these simple and new trends will ensure your guests leave feeling fabulous and you shining like a star.
1. Get creative with your table linen. Who says you have to go crazy and blow your budget and/or your sanity shopping for the perfect tablecloth? Sure, use your fancy-schmancy white tablecloth if thats how you picture your tabletop. But if you are looking to create a unique look look for one in less obvious places like your closet. Scarves and wraps make great runners, as do floor mats and bed covers. Just make sure to use ones that you dont mind getting a few spills and stains on. Tip: look for high-end wallpapers on sale – they make great placemats and coasters and you dont have to worry about spills and stains.
2. Mix it up. Please please dont use pieces from the same design of china in your tabletop. Play around with mixing dinner plates of one design with salad plates from another. Pick completely different dessert plates too. Mixing patterns in interiors is a trend here to stay so why not do the same on with your tabletop designs? It keeps your place setting fresh for your friends and creates a completely unique look. Another tip: For larger dinner parties I tend to use less fancy dinner and dessert plates paired with nicer dessert plates. Not only does this reduce time on handwashing but guests tend to notice dessert plates more than dinner and salad plates.
3. Add a gift for each guest to their placesetting. Give your guests another reason to love your holiday party with tiny presents on their placesetting. These simple and very affordable notebooks are high on my list.
4. Keep the dinner table clutter-free. I pull up a couple of smaller dinner-table-height tables on either side to serve as a food and drink buffet tables. This also keeps table decorations like flower arrangements, candles etc from being moved around during dinner.
5. Self-serving bar/ beverage station. This goes along with trend#3. Create a well stocked bar/beverage station. This will reduce your work load during the party leaving you time to actually enjoy your party. This is also serves as a great spot for wine and champagne that guests will bring.
6. Comfy dinner chairs. Add a cushion to each chair so your guests are nice and comfy. If you can, invest in a set of good slipcovers for your chairs to create drama and give them a cozy look. I recommend Bemz Slipcovers, they are perfect for ikea chairs and couches.
7. Light a scented candle in the bathroom that guests will use. The warm glow extends the festive feel to other areas of your home and the fragrance keeps things well, smelling good. The RED Special Edition candle by Diptyque is one of my personal favorites. I also love that 10% of proceeds from the sale of each candle is donated to Global Fund, helping provide life-saving medications to Africans with AIDS.
8. Fresh linen. Keep a set of fresh bath towels and bed linen handy for unexpected overnight guests. Of courseourse if you have one, then make sure your guest room has fresh sheets and towels. I really love these from Sferra, though must warn you that these come with the risk that your guest might never want to leave.
9. Be open to rearranging your furniture for the party. Think about the floor plan and how you want your guests to move about during the party. I often move my dining table into my living room and move the couch to a different corner for parties so we can be in front of the fireplace.
10. Glassware. Personally, unless its for kids, I stay away for plastic cups to serve drinks. Instead of plastic serve beverages in inexpensive glasses like these from Ikea. At $1.50 for six they a great deal and keep wine tasting good. I bought tons of them for my birthday party recently and they are totally dishwasher-safe.
Oh! And if you can hire help. Even for the smallest of budgets and smallest of events, good help is not hard to find. I found someone experienced and very helpful for my last party. She totally kept me stress free and I was able to enjoy the fruits of my hard work at the party.
Thanks for having me Ally. Hope you have a great trip. Nice to meet you all. I hope to see you on mochatini sometime.
xoxo
(Photos: 1&6. coco and kelley; 7. eddie ross ; collage 1. rue magazine, sweetpaul magazine; collage 2. lonny magazine; the rest by mochatini)
Hi everyone! I’m Connie from Sogni e Sorrisi and I would first like to thank Ally for having me as a guest on her wonderful blog. For this post Ally asked me to write about a design trend or some element of design that I love at the moment. My first thought was: harvest/trestle/farmhouse tables. Our new house will hopefully be ready early in the new year so now my head is filled with all kinds of decor and furniture ideas with a dining table first on the agenda (I’m happy to report that we’ve at least checked appliances off that long list). Thankfully, my husband and I agree on a lot of design related issues and where we don’t he gracefully lets me have my way. Usually.
When we first started our table hunt there was only one thing I knew for sure, I wanted a table that could seat at least eight, although ten would be better (with twelve fitting comfortably). The idea of a harvest or trestle table for our main dining area was actually his idea to start with as he’s always been drawn to distressed woods. When we discussed it the style immediately appealed to me. I like the vintage-y feel of these types of tables as well as how substantial they are. I also think they’re a perfect addition to more modern or transitional decor and are great when juxtaposed with nailhead fabric chairs or even a more modern design like the white ones in Vicente Wood’s kitchen featured in the first photo above.
Now that we basically know what we want the hunt is on for the perfect table for our new kitchen.
The No. 1 Contender, Heritage Trestle Table, Stacaro
Not long into our search we located a table that is still the number one contender. At a local store we spotted the Heritage, a trestle-style table with just enough detail to really hook me. Imported from France, the table not only fit my size requirements, but it feels like a really substantial piece with personality.
In subsequent shopping trips we’ve found other doable options, many cheaper, although finding a table as big as we want remains a challenge. Many of the tables we’ve seen have the option of removable leaves to make them longer and while I’m not dead set against them a part of me has my heart set on a big, long, solid wood table.
Lately my husband has been attracted to distressed tables in lighter woods some not even coated in varnish. While I get the appeal I don’t think these are for me. Just the look of them makes me worry about splinters. Of course, there is always the custom made option, something I’m also mulling over. While we’re taking our time finding a table for our space I just know the real challenge is going to be deciding on chairs that meet our requirements where both form and function are concerned.
What style of kitchen/dining room table do you have? What’s your ideal style?
Thanks again to Ally for hosting me on her blog! xo Connie
Hi, I’m Jules from The Diversion Project. Many thanks to the brilliant Ally for having me over for a visit, I’m feeling more than a little bit chuffed to be a guest today.
I don’t know about you, but the thought of composing a gallery wall scares the bejeesus out of me. You too? Well this current trend that I am seeing around and about a lot is for you and I. Galleries of art all collated ever so cooly and ever so easily on narrow shelves. This is a really versatile way to display art and can provide unity to the most diverse range of treasures. Low cost + low degree of difficulty + v.cool look = crazy not to give it a try.
Photos: 1.skona hem 2. birgitta wolgang 3. skona hem 4. inside homepage 5. owi 6. gilles trillard 7. owi – all via The Diversion Project
Hi, I’m Emily from the oh-so-originally named blog, Emily A. Clark, where I write about my adventures in decorating my home, client projects and my favorite ways to design on a budget. When Ally asked me to blog about a favorite current design trend, a recent House Beautiful cover came to mind.
Whether it’s officially a “trend” or not, I’ve always been a little in love with incorporating bold color into my decor. Fortunately, House Beautiful reaffirmed my affection.
While I definitely think a soothing, neutral space has it’s place, I can rarely resist using a least one element of strong saturated color in my rooms. In fact, our master bedroom started as a beige retreat, with lots of white bedding. Then, I found these rich, velvet, peacock blue drapes, and the room instantly took on new life.
You can still use strong, saturated color without going over-the-top bright. A dark color can be very dramatic and bring lots of warmth to a space. I wanted to create a big statement when you walked through our front door, so I painted the first wall you see in our family room the darkest navy I could find. Instead of being too loud, it provides a much needed backdrop for lighter draperies and accessories.
My best advice for incorporating color? Don’t be afraid to go bold. Even if it’s only in small doses, color is the go-to solution for infusing energy, interest and personality into your space.
Hi there – it’s Sharalee from escapade visiting here while Ally is currently away on one of her global adventures.
When asked for one of my favourite current trends, one thing immediately leapt to mind – horses! Equestrian style has always been an autumn classic, favoured by icons such as Ralph Lauren and Hermes, but this season with with so many collections including jodhpurs, slim jackets and riding boots and all the excitement around Zenyatta, the most amazing little filly of all - it seems that equinophilia has reached a fever pitch.
I’ve had a life-long love for horses having ridden them almost all my life, someone recently asked me about my experience learning to ride and I honestly couldn’t really remember as I’d started so young. Recently I haven’t had access to these beautiful creatures other than a the occasional mounted policeman passing by, or a trip to my family’s place in the country (which happens all too rarely for my liking), and I’ve found myself longing for them. So until the day I can have a stable of my own, I’ll have to satisfy my longing with little equestrian influences in my home, most notably a large photograph of a dapple grey stallion taken by a friend.
Displayed at home, I think horses lend a sense of luxury and tradition that only the most elegant of creatures can bring.
I was captivated by the photography of South African photographer Koto Bolofo taken for Hermes. He’s captured their essence of sleek elegance and strength with such a sense of subtlety and soulfulness.
Hello, it’s Lori from automatism! Today I thought I’d do something a little different from my usual (rather minimalist) Scandinavian tastes and share some pretty flowery inspiration with you here. Hope you enjoy it!
A bedroom with a wild mix of florals, via design shimmer.
An informal bouquet on a vintage café chair, photographed by Leigh Miller, via once wed.
A pretty floral skirt photographed by Fabio Bartelt for Marie Claire magazine. Love how its romantic quality contrasts with the tailored jacket. Via pinterest.
A beautiful print by one of my fave photographers, Kari Herer.
Amazing three dimensional wallpaper of plastic and silk flowers, created for the Tensta Konsthall by Front Design.
Perhaps I should start this out with a little braggadocio and say that I know Ally in person, and she is 100% as delightful in person as she is here on FTRB. And I’m so relieved that the fact that she knows me in person didn’t discourage her from asking me to guest blog while she trots the globe. Honestly, I’m flabbergasted that Angela of The Painted House is drafting a post for From The Right Bank.
Rocks, gems, and stones currently are enjoying a long reign as the objects with which to accessorize. They say, “We haven’t been this popular since the Stone Age!” Yeah, they are horrible jokemakers, but there is nothing like them to add glitzy organic glamour to a room. Me, I have malachite on my mind.
I’ve been charmed by the green stone since my early days as a decorative painter, when how-to-paint faux malachite was in every decorative painting bag of tricks. It is a classic, real or faux. Malachite is dreamy, exotic–like a fantastic cumulus nimbus production in the skies over Oz.
Classic malachite to me evokes richness, history, and companions in jewel tones–exactly as I see it here by Mr. Duquette. But I’d like to live with it as the main event, with little else to distract from its beauty. Maybe I could paint a wall in an otherwise simple space.
Like white walls, you say? What about busting out the Modge Podge and Fornasetti on an antique dresser? Oh, yes, it is. Modge Podge is on 1stdibs (I made that up). This would be so deluxe in an airy modern room.
Hello, I’m Tonia from Chic Modern Vintage. I am sincerely flattered and honored that Ally asked me to help her out while she’s away. Ally posed the question, “What is your favorite design trend?” After some thought, I have to say that I don’t really follow trend. I love to decorate with what I love. A home should be a direct reflection of the people that live in it. So I chose a couple of things that I love and that seem to always stand the test of time. Mirrored Sunburst and Lucite.
I love this Bone Sunburst. It’s a tad different from the gold ones that we find so often.
A beautiful collection of mirrored sunburst displayed together, they add a spark to any room.
Lucite is a neutral timeless classic that blends seamlessly into any decor style. Always fresh and modern. As shown here in the living room.
Lucite comes in various colors. My favorite color is yellow, such a happy color. Did you notice the mirrored sunburst above this desk/vanity?
I wonder if I would I even eat on this table? It’s so gorgeous.
I’m a firm believer that investing in classic pieces you love for your home will stand the test of time. I hope that you’ve enjoyed seeing only a couple of my design trends picks. Ally,thanks for having me. It’s been a blast, and I hope you’re enjoying your trip.
Hi all, Lindsay here from EverythingLEB. Ally is on vacation (so jealous) so I’m here today to keep you entertained for a bit.
The topic is my favorite trend in design and I put a little spin on it and collocated a few of my favorite accessories/trends to switch up the look of a room for Fall.
To me there is nothing like Fall in New England when the leaves change and the air gets crisp and cold. Because it gets cold around here my favorite thing to do is curl up on the couch with a throw blanket, some comfy pillows and a yummy candle lit.
So take those silk throw pillows, light weight blankets and switch them out for some warm and inviting ones like these (faux) fur pillows and throws, cable knit throws and pillows and Voluspa candles. It’s is the perfect way to warm up during the Fall and into Winter. Oh and don’t forget some apple crisp and hot apple cider too, there is nothing better then that on a crisp fall afternoon.
So a question for all the readers out there, how do you switch up your decor for the seasons?
Thanks Ally for asking me to keep your readers entertained, I hope you are enjoying your time off!
Hi everyone! Ludmila from creamylife here and I’m so happy to be invited by the lovely Ally to write a guest post here, on FTRB! When Ally said that the topic of this post should be a design trend, you can imagine how overwhelmed I felt. Lots of ideas and well, trends to choose from, so I was wondering what is a trend? Then I figured it out – these are wallpapers! They’re slowly making their comeback, providing a huge variety of styles, patterns and colors. These days we see wallpapers everywhere: living room, bedroom, nursery, rest room, even staircases and I could keep going with this list! From floral pattern to stripes to vintage styled wallpapers, we look for the prettiest design as they are such a beautiful detail in a room, creating the feeling of a dressed up space, much warmer than a painted one.
Wallpapers are meant to bring coziness and style to a room, so to opt for the best pattern and colors, make sure you decide what effect you want your room to have – a romantic one or an eclectically glamorous. The above wallpaper is so romantic yet cheery and sunny, isn’t it?
If you’d like to wallpaper the entire room or just a wall, the below examples are the perfect inspirational images to stick to.
(Please notice how light the all-wallpapered bedroom feels! With all that floral pattern it still feels so calming, right? The turquoise living room is an all time favorite of mine, as it shows a great balance of paint & wallpaper, patterns & colors.)
The vintage wallpaper in this kid’s room is just about the warmest design ever! Brown and orange will definitely make for a fun and stylish room.
This Mad Men style, plaid wallpaper is very soothing, simple, but look what effect it creates! This dining room is shining!
Striped wallpaper is another modern and utterly charming detail, especially when it comes in these colors: purple, plum, gray and brown – brilliant combo!
Now if you want a totally outstanding effect then this zebra wallpaper will work the best…
…as well is this 3D Dragonfly wallpaper (the wings are indeed three dimensional!)
The abundance of wallpapers these days makes it both easy and hard for us to decide on what do we like and what is the best for our homes. However, the kick-off point should be you, your home and how do you want it to be! I hope you liked my wallpaper round-up and that maybe you found these images inspiring and you got an idea or two for your own home!
Hello dear From the Right Bank readers, I’m Helena and I blog over at A Diary of Lovely. Well you can’t even begin to imagine how excited I am to be here, Ally is a blog myth/idol of mine! And the question is simple, what is my design trend of the moment, the one I can’t stop applying in my home, the one I never get tired (though if you usually read me, you might get bored of hearing me saying it all the time!). Trays that is, they unclutter, give personality to a room and create a cohesion effect. “Tray bars” as I call them is one of my faves ways to use them!
Thank you so so much Ally for having me here. I’m beyond honored. xoxo
Hello, I’m Jennifer from DC By Design. First, thank you Ally for asking me to do this guest post on your blog — what an honor. I’ve been thinking about favorite trends, and one that emerged for me a couple years ago and persists today started with this stunning foyer designed by my friend Tracy Morris:
tracymorrisdesign.com
I just couldn’t stop staring at that dramatic wing chair under the stairs — never mind that you don’t normally see a wing chair there, but the upholstery had me mesmerized. And you know when you see one thing that really catches your eye, you see it everywhere? Well.
Mothology.com
I started spotting this elegant stripe characteristic of old French grain sacks — you got it, everywhere.
Mothology.com
So much so, that I compiled a product page on the trend for Washington Spaces last year.
Wisteria.com
Big furniture companies such as Vanguard and C.R. Laine were getting into the act with reproductions of that stripe, as well as the more ornate patterns on those old sacks that bore family names and farms. Then I found Kymberly Fraser, who started her own company, 3 Fine Grains, that sells nothing but furniture and accessories made from authentic, antique sacks from France and Germany. I particularly love this throw:
3finegrains.com
And, well, that was about it for about a year. Fast forward to this summer, when I was hunting high and low for window treatments in my sons’ bedroom, and I come across my old friend again at Calico Corners. They called this “Primitive Stripe,” but I know where its inspiration lies.
And then, AGAIN, I start seeing this everywhere — I guess it took a couple years for the really big guns, from Ballard Designs to Restoration Hardware, to incorporate this trend into their lines. These images are from the most recent catalogues.
This bench from Pottery Barn bears a striking resemblance to the fabric on the Wisteria bench above, don't you think?
Anthropologie, as they do with everything, puts its own twist on the trend with the Lunet chair, which they say is upholstered with recycled jute sacks from France:
Anthro’s Ditte sofa in “Seaswept” also puts a fun twist on our lovely stripe.
Now, check out Restoration Hardware’s current offerings — all about industrial-inspired furnishings with metal accents and old-looking fabric, as we see here in this bedroom setting:
Resto’s throw pillows also channel the French sacks of old.
The French stripe in Ballard’s current collection is included in a general trend toward rougher upholstery fabric, in keeping with another trend toward old industrial-type furniture in formal settings.
Rough fabric. I’ll say. If French sacks aren’t rustic enough, some furniture makers are amping this trend up a notch with truck tarps. Yup, you read that right — old, beat-up, stained canvas truck tarps. If they can survive years of covering God-knows-what in trucks rumbling all over creation, then you know there’s absolutely nothing you can do to destroy them on your furniture.
Again, from Restoration Hardware:
I’ve also seen the tarps from to-the-trade companies at the market in High Point, NC — and it’s only a matter of time before you start seeing them in the major catalogues, I think:
This tarp-cushioned chaise by Bobo Intriguing Objects puts the chic back in "shabby chic." Thomas Bina created a line of tarp-covered furniture -- patches, stains and all -- for Four Hands. A detail of Bina's chair. I would have no problem with my kids climbing all over this one!
Maybe this trend toward old fabric and old furniture (we’ve all seen the general leanings now away from mid-century-modern to industrial and “granny chic.”), is symbolic of us yearning for simpler times in such a complicated, technology-infused era.
Whatever it is, I’m loving the honesty of it — there’s nothing contrived in these fabrics, and they’ve certainly stood the test of time.
Mark Sage of Bobo Intriguing Objects offered a giveaway on Velvet and Linen last December. Below you can see how the three brickmaker’s tables were used in each winner’s home. I love how each person’s style is so different, yet the table still works.
Ally, thanks again for having me. I enjoyed sharing a design trend that is a favorite of mine.
Hi there, I’m Lana from lanalou style, all the way from Cape Town, South Africa and it’s so great to be here today. It was really difficult trying to pick a favourite interior design trend to feature today but I finally decided that it had to be ikat fabrics.
Yes, I know this trend has been around a while but I’m still loving it. I think ikat fabrics are so beautiful and are a classic that won’t date. It’s the perfect way to add some bold colour and pattern to your home whether it’s a wall hanging, scatter cushion or an upholstered chair.
I’m sure you’ve seen this photo already but I just couldn’t leave it out! I love the way they’ve used the fabric as a wall hanging and that suzani on the sofa is definitely on my wish list too.
And you don’t have to overdo it, one piece in this gorgeous fabric can definitely make a statement. The other thing that really appeals to me about ikats is that they are often not perfect and have a handmade feel to them, I could definitely do with a few ikat scatters on my sofa!
What do you think? Have you had enough of ikats? Or do you think they’re classics? Let us know! Thanks again, Ally, for having me here, I hope you’re having a great trip.
I am so excited to be guest blogging for Ally! This is Christina from greige and My Sparrow. Ally asked me to blog about my favorite design trend and I have to say that my current favorite is the natural eclectic mix that I keep seeing out there. I love the soft edges of natural and worn pieces with everything mixed in! The impact can be made with a small accessory detail or something more dominant like wall texture. I love the feeling of spaces that look like the evolved over time, that have a history to them and feel lived in.
The walls in here are amazing!
The tables in these space make the other pieces seem so much more relaxed and not so simple.
Thank you to Ally for asking me to be a guest here!
Hello From The Right Bank readers! It is Gillian of Ticklish From A Distance and I am thrilled that Ally asked me over to chat today.
Being that Ally is all about individual style, it got me thinking about home vs. design-the reality that real life can sometimes gets in the way of delicious design. So annoying. There are many items I would LOVE to live with daily that just don’t make sense, for me, in a home full of kids. Sure, I incorporate those kinds of whims in smaller ways, I don’t deny myself the pleasure, but I am reasonable about what items I can live without in a room. There are many pieces that are amazing, but whose presence would cause me my sanity at this stage in my life. Make sense? Fortunately, the one thing I love most works in all homes, big and small, in any stage of your life. Books.
Great function, great look and great to share. What is one item you cannot do without in your home? Thanks for having me, Ally!
Hello! I’m Will and I blog on all things colourful and fun in the world of interiors over on Bright.Bazaar. Ally kindly invited me over to do a little post on her lovely blog about a current interiors trend, so I started having a click through some of my favourite stores and soon noticed a trend for fish prints. This has to be a good thing, given owls have been dominating cushions, pillows, tea towels and the rest for the last few years. Cute as they are, it’s refreshing to shake things up a little! I’m not a slave to trends because I believe our homes should be filled with items that weas individuals love and cherish. That said, I certainly gain inspiration from trends, and they provide me with ideas for how to decorate, add that statement pop of colour or just for help in finding a great gift.
However, just because fish prints are popping up across most of the interior stores, I won’t be rushing out and buying a full set of new fish emblazoned serveware! Instead I will be treating myself to the Jonathan Adler plate (top, right), which I will use as standalone piece for impact, rather than as part of a full set. Our fishy friends provide a fun trend for the transfer from summer to fall because September can often provide something of an ‘Indian Summer’, with surprise balmy evenings perfect for barbecues. So, before we start battening down the hatches for the depths of winter, pick up a couple of these nautical-inspired accessories to see you through the late summer sunshine. (Images from top, left to right) 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Hi, I’m Lauren Liess from Pure Style Home just popping over for a day while Ally’s away. One trend I love is the use of silhouettes in a room. I was recently at an antique shop and found this massive (almost 2 feet high) vintage silhouette of a little boy and it struck me how beautiful they still are. They work in both modern & traditional interiors and add an element of whimsy when displayed en masse:
I’ve always loved this silhouette my mom had done of my little sister, Morgan and it works well in her fairly traditional living room:
{Silhouette of my little sister, Morgan}
A client of mine is hanging very old silhouettes given to her by her mother in her super-elegant dining room. They look a lot like these and I can’t wait until we hang them!!:
I love the line of small oval silhouettes in my friend Debra Phillips’ (blogger of 5th and State) shop Scentimental Gardens in Geneva, IL:
And how much fun is this wall of massive silhouettes?! (very much like the one I found at the antique shop)… They add so much personality to an otherwise plain jane hallway. They feel so fresh & modern in this massive size. (And now I really need to get some somewhere in my house…).
And because I’ve now convinced myself I need some in my house, I just found this “how to” for making your own via The Children’s Nest: SILHOUETTE ‘HOW TO’
Thanks so much to Ally for having me here today and thanks to you for reading!!
As a child, I longed for glasses. Something about those wire-rimmed frames made me feel instantly smart and I constantly snuck into my older sisters’ rooms to sneak a peek of the Collegiate Me.
Alas, I have 20/20 vision, so glasses aren’t (and probably never will be) in the cards. But I can still dream of the wiry frames, yes? In fact, my favorite interior design trend of the moment is inspired by just that: wire.
From trash cans to chairs, storage and lamps, I’m loving the Scandinavian-inspired trend of exposed wire accessories. Care to see a few of my faves?
Beautiful, yes? Luckily, I don’t need glasses to see the loveliness in these wiry pieces!
Erin Loechner authors DesignForMankind.com, which boasts a popular viewership of 12,000 readers daily. Honored as one of the London Time’s top 50 design bloggers in the world, Erin Loechner has received numerous praise for her unique perspective on the design industry. In addition to her curation addiction, Erin also writes for various print publications and websites, including ReadyMade Magazine, Dwell and HGTV.
When Ally asked me to help with a guest post I was pretty flattered considering I have been obsessing over her blog for some time now. I mean, did you see photos of her old house?! And are you paying attention to the transformation of her current Atlanta abode?! Girl can decorate.
She asked me (oh, hi, I’m Jessica from Birdhouse Interior Design) to chat a little about current design trends, and since I just got back from attending the Las Vegas Market (picking out goodies for my upcoming showroom – Birdhouse Collectible), I thought I would share a few of the trends that I noticed while peeking around each store.
First of all, I noticed that nautical-themed items are making a statement. I even picked up a couple of pillows to sell in our new space.
Plus, did you see the whole spread in the latest issue of Elle Decor? Yup, a lot of nautical action.
I saw several cool, eco-friendly rugs that I was in love with. Tom Filicia has a new line of rugs made from recycled plastic bottles. They were so amazing in person, and could work indoors or outdoors.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get to check out the seminar with Mary McDonald, Darryl Carter, and Kishani Perera discussing all the trends they noticed while at Las Vegas Market, but here is a video of Kishani’s trend watch. It would have been a ton of fun to go, too bad that I didn’t have enough time:
Thanks to Ally for letting me share with her lovely readers a few trends from Vegas.
Hello everyone!! I’m Dagny from Scandinavian Chic and I’m super excited to be guest blogging here (I’m a huge fan of Ally and FTRB)! At SC, we blog about everything Scandinavian and Chic in a maximalistic setting. Ally asked me to do a post about my favorite design trend, and the theme I chose, came pretty naturally: the new Maximalistic wave we have going on at the moment in Scandinavian design. Scandinavian Maximalism is still pretty clean lined, with lots of white (of course), but interest is added with over the top accessories, focal points and antiques.
Camilla plays with textures, different whites and texture. Her home is noticeably Scandinavian, but with an international and almost exotic touch. The ostrich is completely crazy in my opinion, but at the same time it most definitely makes the room together with the pineapple light fixture.
Again, we see lots of white, but the sofa’s colorful pillows, the artwork and the fabulous sunburst mirror adds interest and softens the space.
Etta’s home is also filled with whites, but it’s far from minimalistic. The Gustavian table with the intricate carving and the styling is very feminine.
Ah, how I love this room! Scandinavians love white walls and the artwork (I think I need it!!) and the fireplace makes the space come alive.
Again, we have clean and simple lines, combined with a rococo sofa and louis chairs. Perfect contrasting elements.
This must be the longest sofa ever! The clean lines of the staircase combined with the box chairs against the winged chair and the classical paintings makes the room.
Clean lines, mirrored furniture and whites. Again – Scandinavian Maximalism.
The founder of Lexington’s home is another great example.
A classical Josef Frank pattern on a sleek sofa combined with a Howard (rolled sleeved English sofa) and Moroccan touches and lots of white.
Again, we see lots of white and clean lines with contrasting elements, brass (looove) and interesting artwork.
Chic 30s vintage furniture, fabulous artwork in white surroundings.
Camilla’s home again (same as first photo) shows a cow hide with gold splattered all over it, lots of layered whites and a very neutral palette. At the same time there’s a lot of eye candy and unexpected elements.
Art Nouveau light fixture, a rustic dining table and the ghost chair combined with an indian (I’m assuming) window treatment. A lot going on in a very small room.
Again, we have a sofa covered in Josef Frank – stunning! Lots of plants, fresh fruit and colors combined with simple artwork and white walls.
A monochrome, simple color palette with antiques and some fabulous orange chinoiserie pillows to add interest.
So what is Scandinavian Maximalism:
1. Lots of white
2. Clean, simple lines
3. Interesting artwork
4. Vintage/antique contrasting items
5. Layers
6. Just more stuff! (we’ve stopped hiding everything in boxes )
Hope you enjoyed the post, if you’re digging the new maximalistic Scandinavian trend, we’ve got more over at Scandinavian Chic Thank you for having me, Ally!!
Image 1+12 from here, Image 2-11
and 14-16 from here, image 13 from here, image 17 from here
xoxo
Hello, From the Right Bank fans! I’m Donna from A Perfect Gray. I am beyond thrilled to be filling in for Ally, one of my very favorite bloggers and I’m happy to be sharing one of my favorite design trends with you today…
Antique Mirrors
I am crazy for mirrors and especially for antique mirrors. For me, their time worn beauty brings character to a room in a way that no other piece can. When I see a lovely antique mirror in a room, it always stops me in my tracks.
![[atlanta+living+suzanne+kasler+sunburst+coll+vintage+hb.jpg]](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_w44AQl7Rb3g/SdZxt6i7kSI/AAAAAAAABj4/9W5pexwxddk/s1600/atlanta%2Bliving%2Bsuzanne%2Bkasler%2Bsunburst%2Bcoll%2Bvintage%2Bhb.jpg)
